It's About the CROSS!!

Hello all! Just wanted to wish everyone happy holidays.....lol...just kidding, just kidding, please don't have a heart attack. It's CHRISTmas for goodness sakes!! aaahhhhh! When will they ever figure it out?!

Anywho, this is a wonderful Christmas video that was put together last year by David! It's absolutely amazing, and you might want to grab some tissues, cuz you get the sniffles. The song is by a band called Go Fish. Well, here it is: It's About the Cross Christmas Video!!



MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

A visit to a friend!

Sunday my family and some friends went to visit a family that we have been blessed to come in touch with. We had such fun! We had such wonderful fellowship as well. I'm posting three pics that my mom took. It was a great time! The pics are actually of us finishing an oreo cheescake...what fun we had...lol. We we're quite messy. Praise the Lord for the Allen family! :)

We smashed em all right!

Gotta like those oreos

Oreo mush all over our fingers :)

Thanks for reading and lookin'...lol

In His love,

~Kirsten~

My Friends Are Dying!

This is a poem that a wrote a 12:30 at night. I was just thinking about my friends. It's kinda like a prayer. You can tell my what you think about. I'll be happy to listen to any comments:

O Lord my friends are dying, please show me what to do
They’re headed to Hell’s fiery flames instead of turning to You
My heart aches at this thought for I see them almost everyday
Why am I wasting my life, instead of showing them the Way
As I sit and try to fix my clothes and hair for the appraisal of men
My friends are hanging into Hell, dangling to their sin
We say, “I’ll just live my life, yes, that will make them see.”
Yet, we don’t even know if tomorrow their life will flee
I’m scared for them my Savior, I want them to understand their fate
They’ve sinned before You, the Holy One, and now their judgment awaits
I want them to turn to You, so gracious and so kind
You took their sin upon Yourself, yes, You pad their very fine
Every lie to every lustful thought will be judged if they don’t repent
But Jesus took the punishment, that’s the reason He was sent
So turn them from their sins, O Lord, and show them Your wondrous grace
Show them of Your glory and the beauty in Your face
I can’t turn them Lord, for I am just like them
But You showed me of my sinfulness and then turned me straight to Him
Save them, my God, I ask this only for Your name
For You deserve all the glory, all the honor, and the fame
It is only You, O Lord, that can change a heart and turn them straight to You
O Lord my friends are dying, please show me what to do
They’re headed to Hell’s fiery flames instead of turning to You

Thanks for reading!

In Christ,

~Kirsten~

Just Some Thoughts...

Here is some thoughts that I wrote to a recent friend of mine on myspace. I just thought that you might like to read them. I was talking to her about the Gospel. So, here it is:
_________________________________________________

As a Christian, I do realize also that God sees me as He would see His Son, righteous. But, that's only because His Son, Jesus Christ, took my punishment on the cross. But, what about those that are lost, who, when they die, will end up in Hell for their sins against God? Does God see them as perfect? My question is, "How could He"? How could God see a lost sinner as perfect. If He did see them as perfect, then wouldn't they go to heaven. But yet, their is only one who is perfect and righteous, and that is God Himself. The only reason I am made right with God is because Christ to the punishment upon Himself.

I'm reminded of a verse in the Bible when it comes to my righteousness. Isaiah 64:6 "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." Also, Psalm 14:3 "there is none good, no not one".

If God sees those who aren't saved, as perfect, then everyone would go to heaven. The question is, then, why don't everyone go to heaven? I've heard many people say, as I talk to them about the Gospel, "Well, God's a forgiving God, maybe He'll let me go." As they're saying this, they realize that they're not perfect, and that presents a problem; they can't get to heaven. But why can't God just say to sinners, "Well, I know you've lied, stolen, looked with lust, not kept Me first in life, and not honored your father and mother, but you can go to heaven."

Yet, what kind of God would that be. He would be unrighteous. For God to love righteousness He must hate evil. It's in comparision to saying, if you hate lying, then you love truth.

However, even a judge here on earth wouldn't be so unjust. If someone had brutally raped and murdered your sister and the judge said, "I see that you're guilty, but I'm forgiving, so I'm going to let you go". What kind of judge would let a rapist and murderer go? That person is to be brought to justice. But, here on earth, we don't even know what true righteousness is. God's the righteous judge of the universe. (Hebrews 9:27), (Psalm 7:11), (John 16:8), (Hebrews 10:31), (Matthew 12:36)

So then, why do we go to hell? Well, most people say "we sin" or we're sinners". But what did we do? "Sin". What sin? 1 John 3:4 states "Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness." What is lawlessness? It's breaking a law, God's Law, the Ten Commandments. Now, when you say "law" some people say "legalism." But the Ten Commandments show the very nature of God. We know that God is not a liar, He is all truth. We know that God does not steal, He owns everything. Jesus used the Ten Commandments in His ministry and so did Paul, James, and Stephen. (Check these scriptures: Romans 3:19-20, James 2:10, Acts 7:53,Luke 18:18-23, Matthew 15:1-10, Matthew 19:16-23, Mark 10:17-22, etc) But why did He use the Ten Commandments? Romans 3:20 "Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh shall be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." Galations 3:24 says "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith." Paul said that he "would have not known sin except by the law" (Romans 7:7).

The Law doesn't help us; it just leaves us helpless. It doesn't justify us; it just leaves us guilty before the judgment bar of a holy God. The law shows us our sin before a perfect God. The Law doesn't save us it just shows us our desperate need for a Savior. That's why I sent the three scenarios out. To show that, if we don't see the disease (sin), then we don't see the need for a cure (Jesus). And death (hell) is staring right at the lost sinner. If you didn't get to read the scenarios, then go here: http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=247886271&blogID=329426155 Not because God is unjust, but because sin is filthy in His sight. Revelation 21:8 "all liars shall have their part in the lake of fire." 1 Cor 6:9-10 "fornicators, idolators, adulterers, thieves, covetous, will not inherit the kingdom of God." 1 John 3:15 "Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding on him."However, this is what makes the good news so great. Just think about it. God became human flesh and took on all the attributs of a man, except sin. He humbled Himself so low that He died on a cross for the very thing He despised. He despised sin. He who knew no sin, became sin for us. Lost sinners are enemies of God and God's wrath abides on them. Yes, God is wrathful. Ephesians 5:6 says "the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience." John 3:36 "and he who does not believe the Son, shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." Also see Romans 2:5-6.

So, what happened on that cross, is that Jesus was taking your wrath that you deserve. See Isaiah 53:5-6 and verse 10. Picture it this way; 'say that you stole $1,000,000 and the law caught you. All the evidence was there, and you were guilty. You we're about to get sentenced to prison, when someone you didn't even know came in and paid your fine. You're eternally grateful.' That's what Jesus did 2000 years ago. He stepped in to God's court room and paid your fine with His lifes blood. You were headed to hell where your just punishment awaited, and Jesus Christ paid yor fine.

What a gracious God. He didn't have to pay your fine. It was your sins, not His, that was put upon Christ. Oh, what a wonderful Savior. 2 Peter 3:9 says "The Lord is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." He calls us to repent, that is to turn away from our sins, and put our trust solely in Him. Acts 17:30-31 "now commands all men everywhere to repent because He has appointed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness..."

To end, I'm going to write a chorus to a song that has been stuck in my heart. The words say it all."

Your blood has washed away my sin,
Jesus Thank You!
The Father's wrath completely satisfied,
Jesus thank You!Once Your enemy,
now seated at your table,
Jesus Thank You!"
_______________________________________________

Thanks for reading! :)
In Christ,
~Kirsten~

The Beauty!

Hey all!! WOW, it's been so long since I've been on here. Everything has been so busy lately with building a new house. I just wanted to post a pic that I took of the trees. It's gorgeous. I added a Bible verse to it. I love photography! This one reminds me of what an awesome God we serve!

Beautiful Video!

This is a wonderful video that I saw on Theo's blog. It's so beautiful and touching. :)

Balloon Festival

Hey everyone,

Like a week ago we went to a Balloon Festival and witnessed and shared the gospel. It was very amazing. There was over 15,000 people at the event and we handed out SO many tracts. I ask that you would pray for all the people that received tracts and was witnessed to. That they would continue to think on spiritual things and that Christ would lead them to repentance. This is the most important thing we can do in life, to share the Gospel with this lost and dying world. So, go out there and start fishing for men. Live in obedience to Christ and follow Him.


Until the nets are full,
~Kirsten~ :)

Humility

Philippians 2:5-11 "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant and coming in the likeness of man, He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God has also highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

The most humble sacrifice ever made was when Christ died for filthy and wretched sinners. Then on the third day, He rose from the grave, and was highly exalted. What a wonderful Savior!

Love in Him,
~Kirsten~

Creation Museum

Hey everyone!

We went to the Creation Museum Friday and it was amazing. So...I just wanted to post some pics. I didn't want to ruin it for those that haven't went, so I limited the pics. Hope you enjoy them!

(from L to R) Hannah, Christian, Jonathan, and me

The waterfalls!

My mom and dad!!!


The beautiful gardens outside of the museum. The sprinklers made a rainbow!

At last, our family! This was actually taken by a professional in the museum!

TADA! It was an amazing trip! Everyone should go to the Creation Museum! Well, ttfn!

In Christ,

~Kirsten~

Our Great God!

Hello all,
There is a really great song that Rebecca St. James and Todd Agnew sing called Our Great God. I just thought I'd post the lyrics because it's so beautiful! The original song is actually by Fernando Ortega and Mac Powell. But, I have only heard this song sung by RSJ and Todd.

Our Great God

Eternal God, unchanging, mysterious and unknown
Your boundless love, unfailing, in grace and mercy shown
Bright seraphim in ceaseless flight around Your glorious throne
They raise their voices day and night in praise to You alone

*Hallelujah! Glory be to our Great God!
Hallelujah! Glory be to our Great God!

Lord, we are weak and frail, helpless in the storm
Surround us with Your angels, hold us in Your arms
Our cold and ruthless enemy, his pleasure is our harm
Rise up, O Lord and he will flee before our Sovereign God
*
Let every creature in the sea and every flying bird
Let every mountain, every field and valley of the earth
Let all the moons and all the stars in all the universe
Sing praises to the Living God who rules them by His Word
*

Conduct Yourself

Philippians 1:27 "Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel."

I was just studying and reading the Bible, and I came across this verse. I was reminded that whether I am at home, with my family, or whether I am in a store, my conduct should remain the same. When people see you, do they see a Christ-like attitude? "Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ!"

Until the nets are full,
~Kirsten~

Paulo Uchibori and His Children

The following story and picture is taken from the Voice of the Martyrs magazine:

Words on picture below read, "Stained glass windows in Shimabara Catholic Church depict the torture and death of Paulo and his children."



A wave of harsh persecution took place in Japan in the early 1600’s, during which many Christians were martyred.

On February 20, 1627, church leader Paulo Uchibori, his wife and three children were arrested for harboring missionaries. On that day, Paulo and 37 other Christians were beaten, paraded naked through town and imprisoned in the Shimabara Castle.

The following day, the Christians were tortured. The government wanted to avoid making martyrs, but used the cruelest methods to force Christians to deny their faith. One of the soldiers teased Paulo as he held a knife, saying “How many of your children’s fingers should we take?”

Paulo replied, “It’s all up to you.”

The soldiers cut off all of the children’s fingers except their thumbs and little fingers, saying Christians should have fewer fingers than an animal. Paulo’s two oldest children, Antonio and Barutabazaru offered their fingers to the soldiers, without crying or showing any pain. The last child was Paulo’s youngest, Ignatius, age five. He also showed no pain as his fingers were cut off. He raised his bleeding hands to the sky, offering them to God. Those who were watching were surprised by what they saw and were deeply moved by the children’s bravery.

The soldier then bound the hands and feet of 16 people including Paulo’s children and threw them repeatedly into the ice-cold water of Shimabara Bay. Still the Christians would not renounce their faith. Antonio’s last words before he disappeared into the ocean were, “Father, we should thank God for giving us such a great blessing.”

After his children were drowned, Paulo’s face was branded with the three Japanese characters of the word “Christian.” He was thrown out on the streets with a sign on his kimono reading, “Punished for being a Christian. It is forbidden to help this man or give him shelter.”
A week after the martyrdom of his children, Paulo was sent up Mt. Unzen with 15 other Christians to experience “torture in the hells of the Unzen volcano.” Paulo was hung upside down and lowered into the boiling sulfur waters many times. He prayed out loud each time, realizing he was part of the body of Christ, “The Eucharist should be hallowed.” Finally, his body was thrown into the boiling spring.

The faith of Paulo and his children encourage us today. We know that they, along with many other unnamed Japanese Christians, were welcomed into Jesus’ presence and now wear robes of white.

This story should be an encouragement to us not to lose heart. Tears were streaming down my face as I read this. What freedom we have in America to spread the gospel, but in other countries Christian die because they're not even allowed to pray or read His Word. We need to be telling others of the hope that lies within.

In His beautiful love,
~Kirsten~

The Judgment

Oh, wow! I found a really great article on this webpage...and it's called "The Judgment". It was wrote by David S. MacMillan III . It had me in tears. Anyway, here it is:

As I journeyed through the byways of this world, I came to a cave and went in and I fell asleep. And as I slept, I dreamed

Thus begins the classic allegory The Pilgrims Progress by John Bunyan. And thus begins our story now. Except that its not a cave, its my bedroom.

I saw an expanse of human beings so vast, it paralleled the Pacific Ocean. Hundreds of hundreds of millions stretched out across the sky below me. Yet, somehow there was not a single sound as the billions fixed their gaze on the most awesome sight I had ever seen: a gigantic, pure white throne at the head of the multitude, with the Creator of the Universe seated upon it. Jesus stood at the left of the throne, and His eyes reached across the vast expanse to beckon me to His side.

I stood beside my Savior and felt His love wash over me more real than anything I had ever experienced. But there was a note of sadness mingled with His love, that cut me like a knife. Confused, I watched as He called to people from the vast sea of humanity and as they came before the throne one by one.

One man came up, and I realized that he was my project partner from eighth grade, Samuel. A cold sweat seized me as I wondered whether anyone had ever shared the Gospel with him. I could see terror etched across his face as he heard the voice of Jesus Christ saying those awful words, Depart from me, you worker of lawlessness. I never knew you.

A shining angel grabbed Samuel and pulled him toward the other side of the throne. I watched as Samuel was thrown into a lake of fire and heard his screams echo across the sea of people. As he fell, his eyes met mine, and a thousand words flashed between us in that instant. Why didnt you tell me? You had the words of eternal life, but you never let me know.

But my attention was called back to another person being brought before the throne. It was my roommate from summer camp in 2004 – what was his name? Ah, yes: Christopher. My mind flashed back to a time that we had been sitting in our room, and he had mocked a Christian commercial. But I hadn’t said anything to him. Jesus pronounced judgment yet again: I was not sent into the world to condemn the world. You were condemned already because you did not believe in the Name of the Son of Man.

Tears streamed from my eyes as I watched my friends and acquaintances condemned one by one. A man I sat next to on a plane. My girlfriend from college who had freely admitted that she was an atheist. I remembered that I had been more concerned about how “macho” she thought I was than I had been about this Day. She pulled away from the angel and burst out in tears as she bawled, Why didnt you say something, David? I would have listened! Then she screamed as she was cast into Hell. Her screams echoed across my mind over and over again.

After what seemed like hours of this torture, the Lord laid His hand on my shoulder and wiped the tears from my cheeks. I will remember His words forever: Was this the place where I was supposed to say, Well done, good and faithful servant?

Every thirteen seconds, twenty people die that have never repented of their sins and trusted in Christ. Every thirteen seconds, twenty people go to Hell[1].

The Bible teaches that every human being has an eternal soul. Every human being will live forever in one of two places. Your friends will either spend eternity in Heaven with God or eternity in a lake of fire and brimstone that burns for ever and ever. You cannot afford to let someone else do the witnessing. You must obey the Words of Jesus Christ and preach the Gospel to every person that you can.

I am not asking you to sell everything you have and devote your life to screaming, Repent or perish! from street corners. Far from it. But it is your duty to share your faith whenever it is reasonably possible. This might mean that you sit next to some complete stranger during lunch at school and ask him, What do you think is on the other side when we walk out of here? Maybe you can hand a gospel tract to the gas station attendant when you go in to pay for gas. In any situation, ask yourself what is more important: what you want to do, or the salvation of the person that God has placed in your path?

Right about now you are screaming at me, I dont know how to share my faith! So what? Neither did Paul. But he started doing it and learned, didnt he?

In real life I am a paralegal. I have noticed that, in the legal field, when a person is confronted with a bitter opponent, they will try to find some slight point of agreement and work from there. This is our job as well.

Regardless of a persons religious background, they still have a conscience. God had written His law, the Ten Commandments, on the heart of every individual. I have never met a person who said, Lying, stealing, adultery, blasphemy I thought it was the right thing to do! Everyone knows the difference between right and wrong, so if you meet them at that point of agreement the conscience it will make the difference between life and death for that person. If you can, ask a person if they have kept the Ten Commandments. Have they ever lied or stolen? Jesus said that lust is the same as adultery, and hatred is the same as murder. Have they always honored their parents? What about the third commandment: do not take the name of God in vain? Have they ever used Gods holy Name as a curse word to express disgust or anger?

If you get to this point, you can ask a person whether they think God, in His infinite justice, would let a lying, thieving, adulterous, blasphemous, murderer-at-heart into Heaven. When a person realizes their guilt before a Just and Holy God, the message of Christs sacrificial death on the Cross will make sense to them and they will fling themselves at the mercy of Jesus Christ.
If you would like to know more about how you can share your faith easily and effectively, go to LivingWaters and watch the video Hells Best Kept Secret. You can also visit Way Of the Master for more information. Or, you can send me an email and I will try my best to answer your questions. My email address is “d3@regenerateourculture.com”

And it is true that if you actively witness to people they will make fun of you. Jesus said, If they persecuted me, will they not much more persecute you? The question is this:

Which is more important: the judgment of men, or the Judgment of God?

[*Editors note:* sometime after the idea for the dream this article was conceived, a pastor called into Way of the Master radio and told of having one very similar. So if it felt like youd heard it somewhere before, thats your reason.]

fn1. Numbers based on BibleHelp.org article

I just can't tell you how much I needed to read this. Witnessing needs to be my passion ALL my life. I so need more compassion as lost souls are damned to Hell. How can I walk by people and not think about their eternal destiny?

Until the nets are full,
~Kirsten~

Hide HIS Word in Your Heart

Psalm 119:10-11 " 10. With my whole heart I have sought You; oh let me not wander from Your commandments! 11. Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You."

I'm reminded of this verse everyday. It brings me back to this verse: "Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh."- Galatians 5:16

I love God's word. It's so refreshing and it brings me such peace.

Until the nets are full,
~Kirsten~

Tell Them of Our Savior

This is a little something that I wrote at midnight last night. I was just thinking about what I need to be doing in life and how it should be giving Christ complete control and bringing Him glory. I started to think about how I need to give myself up and stop wanting my selfish desires. I need to be thinking about Christ and stop looking to the world. I began to weep as I thought of how I could walk past someone in a store and not even think about where they will spend eternity. God started to humble me. So I began to write my thoughts down. So...here it is:

This is a battle for the souls of men. But Christ has already won the victory. However, we must not lose focus of this battle. Run and save as many as you can. Fight the good fight until you are completed in Christ’s presence. Keep your eyes on the cross where Christ paid the sinners debt in full. Look at the blood which Christ shed for filthy sinners. One Man’s life saved sinners from being damned eternally.

Run I say, and save all. Beg them, and cry out to God for their souls. Don’t walk away while Hell is waiting for them. Show them the ten cannons of God’s Law that are aimed at their souls that they so blindly don’t see. Tell them of the cross and Christ’s precious blood shed for their sins. Tell them of His glorious resurrection where He defeated death and Hell. Tell them to turn to the Savior of the repentant heart.

No more of self, but all for the victorious Savior who so graciously saved unworthy hearts from God’s wrath. All to Him, who paid the sinners fine, of our lying, thieving, blasphemous, idolatrous, adulterous, and unrepentant hearts. All of which Christ did none of. The sinless Savior became sin for the wretched sinners. To Him, who came to save the lost from the wrath of God abiding on them.

We must tell them! We must tell them for His glory! Of every sinner that repents, He gets the honor and glory for being such a kind Savior. So just, so holy, so angry at sin, and yet the most loving Savior ever. What a God! He will save! Tell them! Tell them of our Savior!

In His beautiful love,
~Kirsten~

Best Friends

Hey all! This is a video of our best friends who adopted 4 children from Liberia, Africa. It's a sweet video and it makes you cry. God is SO good! I praise Him for giving these children a wonderful godly home!

Praise God for the MacMillan family: David, Kaitlyn, David 3, Will, Anavah, Theo, Brenna, True, and Eden.

In Christ always,
~Kirsten~

Pure until death

The following story is taken from "The Voice of the Martyrs" magazine:

In the year 304 A.D., two young Christian girls from a wealthy, pagan household in Rome both died a martyr's death within days of each other. Wealthy families in early Rome often reared their daughters using well educated slaves from Greece. These "nannies" were often Christian, as was the case in this household.

The Roman patrician's daughter Agnes was a beautiful girl. She grew up alongside the nanny's daughter, Emerentiana. The girls were like sisters, and were devoted to one another. When Agnes was 13, her father decided it was time for her to marry and he encouraged the son of a high-ranking Roman to ask for her hand in marriage. Agnes reportedly spurned his advances saying "I am already the spouse of a Lover much more noble and powerful than you." The enraged suitor discovered she was a Christian and reported her to be executed by the edict of the Roman emperor Diocletian.

There is enough variety in the description of how Agnes died that some of her story is considered legend. The consistency behind every account however, is that Agnes was a very young Christian who sacrificed her life for her faith in Christ and her vow of purity.

Roman law prohibited executing virgins, so the judge gave Agnes a choice- sacrifice to the gods or be violated at a brothel. Agnes reportedly responded, "Do you believe that now I could bow my head before simple rocks, mute and lifeless?" According to truth or legend, all men who approached Agnes in the brothel became blind. She then prayed to God to restore their sight. Being burned at the stake also proved unsuccessful, and Agnes was eventually killed by the executioner's sword.

A few days after Agnes' death, a young woman was found praying by her tomb. It was Emerentiana, who admitted to being a Christian. She admonished the crowd for killing Agnes. The crowed commanded her to leave the sight. When she refused, they stoned her.

It is said the deaths, especially of Agnes, shocked many Romans and helped bring an end to the persecution. Some said, "Do young girls constitute such a threat to Rome that it is necessary to kill them?" Others said, "If this religion can enable a 13 year-old girl to meet death without fear, it is worth checking out."

The name Agnes means "pure" in Greek and "lamb" in Latin. The heroism and death of both these young girls inspire us to purify our own lives and hearts. There is another, however, whose name we do not know, but whose Christian influence was monumental in the Roman world. We would do well to remember the unnamed nanny, whose exceptional teaching and inspired lifestyle enabled two young ladies to withstand the test of martyrdom.

Prayer!

I'm asking that you pray for some friends of ours who have adopted children from Liberia and are adjusting to having 7 children instead of 3 at home. :) Pray that God will strengthen them in every challenge that may lay ahead of them and pray that their new children will adjust quickly and that they'd be healthy and happy in their new forever family.

We also need to praise God that the children are finally home and safe.
In Christ,
~Kirsten~

If Sinners Will be Damned

If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. And if they will perish, let them perish with our arms around their knees, imploring them to stay. If hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for.

Charles H. Spurgeon

This quote almost has me in tears. I know I need more compassion for the lost. Jesus saw them as "sheep without a shepherd" and had compassion on them. I need the compassion that Jesus had. I should be weeping over lost sinners being damned to hell for eternity. I should be telling them about judgment day and that there is hope in Christ. I should be on my knees praying for their souls.

I can only pray that God will give me such compassion!

Until the nets are full,
~Kirsten~

Letter From An Unsaved Friend

My friend, I stand in judgment now,
and feel that you’re
to blame somehow.
On earth I walked with you by day,
and never did you
show the way.

You knew the Savior in truth and glory,
But never did
you tell the story.
My knowledge then was very dim.
You could have led
me safe to Him.

Though we lived together, here on earth,
you never
told me of the second birth.
And now I stand before eternal hell,
because of heaven’s glory you did not tell!
Anonymous

WOW! I love this message from Mark Cahill! It makes you think about people's eternal destiny. Go into the world and preach the gospel!

Until the nets are full,
~Kirsten~

Is Today's Dating Biblical?

This is a sermon in which Paul Washer talks about dating. I think that every teen should sit down with their parents and listen to this great sermon! Here is the sermon link: http://www.grantedministries.org/audio/p_washer_dating_talk.mp3


-This is a compilation of a three day series of talks that Paul gave at a church in Hannibal, MO. The things taught here are wonderfully helpful for both parents and youth. [audio served by - Granted Ministries - http://www.grantedministries.org/]- ( excerpt taken from Paul Washer's website)

In His beautiful love,
~Kirsten~

Walking in the Spirit

Galatians 5:16-26

" 16. I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and
you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. 17. For the flesh
lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are
contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18. But if you are led in the Spirit you are not under the law. 19. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are:
adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20. idolatry,
sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions,
dissensions, heresies, 21. envy, murders, drunkenness,
revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you
in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom
of God. 22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23.
gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24. And
those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the
Spirit. 26. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another,
envying one another."

"Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh". If we as Christians walk in the Spirit we can overcome the flesh. I always like to open my Bible every morning and read the fruits of the Spirit. I pray everyday that God will give me the strength and the courage to live out the fruits of the Spirit so that I may please and glorify Him. I want to bring my Savior glory in every thing I do and say.

Until the nets are full,
~Kirsten~

My Sissy's Birthday

Yesterday was my little sister, Hannah's, birthday. She's now 7 years old. She's growing up so fast. I still remember holding her tiny little body when she was just born. I love my sis so much. She's my only sissy and she's so dear to me.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HANNAH!

The Sinner's Prayer

No, I'm not talking about a prayer that someone can repeat. (A repeated prayer isn't what saves someone, but a repentant heart that's willing to turn away from sin and turn to Christ and place their trust in Him alone.) But, this is a song/poem I wrote. This is actually my prayer. My conversion story can be summed up in this song/poem.

The Sinner's Prayer

God, I come before you knowing my place
I see now that I'm in need of Your grace
I'm going to end up right before Hell's gates
For this is where my judgement awaits
I've broken every commandment, now I see
My sins are great in front of me

-Chorus-
God save me and show me Your grace
I love You Lord, for You took my place
You died on the cross for my filthy heart
I turn away from my sins and trust in You,
For I know that this is what I must do

I see what You've done just for
me
You died on the cross and set me free
You took my punishmet for breaking Your Law
And paid for my fine, for every sin You saw
You rose on the third day
I thank You Lord for making a way

-Chorus-

I praise God for His amazing grace. I could say it over and over and never say it enough. My Savior means everything to me. I want nothing in this life, but to honor and glorify His Wonderful name! Praise God, for He is our hope and our salvation!

In His beautiful love,
~Kirsten~

Randomness

Ok, I'm being really random today, and I've decided I'm going to post a pic.

This is a really neat picture of me, that I fixed on the computer, to make it look like a coloring pencil drawing. It's soooooo nifty! Pretty cool, huh?

Delight in the Lord

I was just remembering my favorite Bible verse: Psalm 37:4- "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart."

If your "delighting" in the Lord, then your desires will be that of God's desires. So, it's not about what we get, but it's to God's glory! If we are truly delighting in the Lord, then the desires of our hearts will be God's will.

Until the nets are full,
~Kirsten~

Psalm 29:1-2

Psalm 29:1-2 "1.Give unto the Lord, O you mighty ones, give unto the Lord glory and strength. 2.Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness."

This is a beautiful passage. "The glory due to His name", Christ alone is worthy of glory and honor. I will praise Him forever!

In His love always and forever,
~Kirsten~

Crushed Under the Wrath of God

As I'm sure everyone knows, today is Good Friday. It's the day of Jesus Christ's death on the cross. This day is so important to me and will be the rest of my life. It's the day that my Savior took my punishment and was crushed under the fierce wrath of God because of my sins. Oh, what a Savior! I look at the cross and see God pouring His cup of wrath on His very own Son. My lying, thieving, blasphemous, adulterous, murderous heart was placed upon Jesus on the cross.

"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our
iniquities."- Isaiah 53: 5-6

I can't express the gratitude in my heart. How could a wretched and horrible sinner like me receive such grace? What am I that I would be called righteous before God? It's only because of Jesus Christ and His righteousness. He lived a perfect and sinless life, and He was the only One who could. He died on the cross and took my punishment that I deserve. I know I deserve the deepest part of Hell. My sins are so great before a perfect and holy God. ("...all liars shall have their part in the lake of fire."-Revelation 21:8; ...for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain..."-Exodus 20:7) It's not my righteousness that Christ sees, for mine is like a dirty rags. (Isaiah 64:6) It's only by Christ's righteousness that I am made right before God.

"For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the
righteousness of God in Him."-2 Corinthians 5:21-

Jesus Christ didn't stay dead either. Three days later He rose from the dead, defeating the grave, Hell, and death. That's why we celebrate Easter. We serve a risen and amazing God. I praise Him for this great and awesome day! We should celebrate it everyday of our lives. He saved me from the wrath to come and I am eternally grateful for Him! My Savior, my Love, and my Life, forever and ever. Oh, how I love my Savior!

Filled With The Spirit

"In order to be filled with God's Holy Spirit, you must be emptied of self. It's
said that we don't need more of the Holy Spirit, but He needs more of us. Get on your knees in a quiet place and invite the Spirit to reveal any hidden sins to
you. Confess all known sin and submit your entire being-your mind,emotions,and will- to God. Give Him complete control of your daily life. Seek His face, until
you are so filled with the Holy Spirit that your love for Jesus will overflow to
others as you go out into the world with the gospel of salvation."

-Taken from the "School of Biblical Evangelism" pg. 181-

I think this quote is pretty much self-explanatory! "More of Him, and less of me now and forever."

Until the nets are full,

~Kirsten~

Letter From An Athiest

This is an excerpt of an email to Ray Comfort from an atheist:

Ray,

You are really convinced that you've got all the answers. You've really got yourself tricked into believing that you're 100% right. Well, let me tell you just one thing. Do you consider yourself to be compassionate of other humans? If you're right, as you say you are, and believe that, then how can you sleep at night? When you speak with me you are speaking with someone who you believe is walking directly into eternal damnation into an endless onslaught of horrendous pain which your 'loving' god created, yet you stand by and do nothing.

If you believe one bit that thousands every day were falling into an eternal and unreachable fate, you should be running the streets mad with rage at their blindness. That's equivalent to standing on a street corner and watching every person that passes you walk blindly directly into the path of a bus and die, yet you stand idly by and do nothing. You're just twiddling your thumbs, happy in the knowledge that one day that 'walk' signal will shine your way across the road.

Think about it. Imagine the horrors Hell must have in store if the bible is true. You're just going to allow that to happen and not care about saving anyone but yourself? If you're right then you're an uncaring, unemotional and purely selfish (expletive) that has no right to talk about subjects such as love and caring.

James Franz

The entire discourse between Ray and this atheist is now in a fascinating book called, Intelligent Design versus Evolution—letters to an atheist. (taken from the Way of the Master website http://www.wayofthemaster.com/atheistletter.shtml )

I'm amazed at this letter. The atheist is actually right. Why aren't we in the streets telling people of the horrible fate they will come upon on judgement day? Can we just walk right on by while people are dying and going to Hell? Are we more interested in the world than lost sinners being damned to Hell? Why aren't we seeking and saving the lost the way Jesus did? Shouldn't we be on our knees crying out for their souls? Listen to this amazing quote by Charles Spurgeon:

"Save some, O Christians! By all means,
save some. From yonder flames and outer darkness, and the weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth, seek to save some! Let this, as in the case of the apostle,
be your great, ruling object in life, that by all means you might save some."

Wow! Seeking and saving the lost should be our #1 priority in life, that and glorifying God!

Abortion

I've found a really great website that's on abortion called Sanctuary Ministries. The lady that runs this website actually goes to abortion clinics and witnesses to people coming in and going out. It's a really great ministry! Go check it out!

Luke 9:23

Luke 9:23- "And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me."

This verse amazes me. It's my life verse because it's so important. We need to die to ourselves everyday and follow Christ. I must lay down what I want and take up what Christ wants. I'm ready to do whatever He wants in my life no matter what the cost! I'm willing to give up everything for my Savior. He saved me from the wrath to come and I'm eternally greatful for His love and mercy. I want to be like Isaiah. He said "Here I am, send me."

Job 42:6

Job 42:6- "Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes."

I love this passage. This is the way we should all feel standing before a holy and just God!

Rescue The Perishing

I recently made a video to the song "Rescue The Perishing" sung by Billy and Cindy Foote. The original words are by Fanny Crosby, the new words and melody are by Billy Foote ( www.billyfoote.com ). You can find it at this URL link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7zVuMBtfUA ! Go check it out!
In Christ, ~Kirsten~

I Repent

What's Up everybody? I just wanted to share a song that I wrote not too long ago.

I Repent

A light shone through the heavens,
filling my heart with fear
The sin that was in darkness
Now shone bright and clear
I failed the Laws you'd given
And now what I deserve is Hell
But then Your love shone through my heart

I repent
I don't want this filth anymore
I repent
I take your righteousness instead
I repent

The cross that shone Your glory
Gave me life to live
My sin that lay upon You
Was my dept fully paid

I repent

I don't want this filth anymore

I repent

I take your righteousness instead

I repent

I can't deny this joy inside

Your love has set me free

I wrote this song thinking about my conversion. Christ stopped me in my sinful tracks and showed me His holy Law, the Ten Commandments. I then saw my sin in a new light and they became exceedingly sinful to me. Then I knew I deserved hell. Revelation 21:8 says "...all liars shall have their part in the lake of fire..." Exodus 20: 7 says "...for the Lord will not hold him unpunished who takes His name in vain." I realized that God saw lust as adultery- Matthew 5: 27-28, and He saw hatred as murder- 1 John 3:15. I knew on judgement day I couldn't stand before a perfect and holy God.

Then it all made since to me. Christ died on the cross and took my sins upon Himself. Then three days later He rose from the grave defeating death and Hell. He took the punishment that I deserved and He can give me the righteous life He lived if I will repent, that is to turn away from my sins, and put my trust in Him. Then I can go to heaven, not because I'm a good person, but because I'm a bad person that's been forgiven by a loving and merciful God. We serve a risen and glorious God!

National Day Of Purity

Drum role please............I'm here to announce yet another year for "National Day Of Purity" http://www.lc.org/dayofpurity.htm . Yes, that's right. This is the fourth annual Day of purity and is run by Liberty Counsel. On February 14th, while all couples are celebrating, all teens come together and root for purity! Visit this link to read their press release http://www.lc.org/pressrelease/2007/nr010507.htm

This "day" can be celebrated in many ways. You can wear the "National Day of Purity" shirt, priced at $10, which you can find at their website above. You can hand out fliers provided by Liberty Counsel. Or you can wear the wristband that says "Live Pure", priced at $3.

Last year me and 2 of my friends went to a ball game and handed out the "Way of the Master" tracks and some fliers for the day of purity. I was also interviewed and put in the L.A. Times newspaper. Me and a couple of other teens across the world were chosen to talk about purity in their newspaper. It was pretty cool. So...go inlist now. Stand up for purity.

It's About The Cross Music Video

Ok, I know that it's past Christmas but I love this music video. This video was made by a friend of mine, David MacMillan III, who you can find at http://www.standonbible.com/ . The song is called "It's About The Cross" by a band called "Go Fish" www.gofishguys.com . It's a wonderful video and is defiantly a "must see".

SNOW

Oh, I am sooooooooooooo excited! It's finally snowing. Yesssss! Ok, so they're just little flurries, but it's still beautiful. I love snow. I always seem to think about God's beauty when I see the perfect shape of every snowflake. It reminds me of just how big God is. He forms every snowflake is His hand. It also reminds me of how wretched I am and how glorious God is. That the very same God who shapes the snow and made the universe has saved me from the wrath to come is beyond comprehension. All I can say is, "What an awesome God"!

In Christ,
~Kirsten~

My Jesus

Hey Everyone!!! Happy New Year!! Wow, I'm a little late! lol. I just wanted to share a poem I recently wrote.

My Jesus

"You must have done something good", some may say
Something good enough to be headed God's way
But no good came from someone like me (Psalm 14:1-3; Romans 3:12)
This is my story just listen and see:
I've broken God's Ten Commandments and deserve Hell
His glory I came against and fell
The 9th commandment says "thou shall not lie"
It says in His word for even this I must die (Revelation 21:8; Proverbs 19:5)
"Don't take God's name in vain" says the 3rd
"God will not hold him guiltless", it says in His word (Exodus 20:7)
God says in the 6th "thou shall not kill"
But hatred in the heart is murder even still (1 John 3:15)
Yet another commandment I see
Lust in the heart is the same as adultery (Matthew 5:27-28)
Even my thoughts, everyone He sees
And for this I know He is not well pleased (Psalm 7:9)
I've sinned against the God of the universe, who's holy and just (Psalm 7:11)
What a wretched thing I've done, to be punished I must
Before His presence I could not stand
I would fall with just the command of His hand (Hebrews 10:31)
With a heart like this I am undone
What else can I do but get up and run
I must run to the Savior who was gracious and kind
He died on the cross and paid for my fine (Isaiah 53:5-6; John 3:16)
That's why He came down, can't you see
He took the place of you and me
We broke His Laws and we have to pay (Ezekiel 18:4)
But Jesus fulfilled them and made a way
The wrath of God that you were due (Ephesians 5:6)
God poured out on His own Son just for you (Romans 5:8)
When faced with these sins I fell down at His feet
Knowing on judgment day His face I would meet
Repent of your sins He says to all
Or on judgment day you will surely fall (Luke 13:3; Acts 17:30-31)
I placed my sins at his feet and turned away from them
Righteousness was imputed to me from Him (2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 3:9)
This is what He has done for me, now can you see
My chains are broken my Jesus has set me free